Of all
of our musical resources, the three note major triad is perhaps the most widely used in
creating our western music. Beginning it's rise to wider popularity in the mid 1500's in
England, the use of thirds was described as the "running of deer." As equal temper evolved and the
piano emerged, the ability to create in tune major triads with various combinations of
instruments from any of the pitches of the chromatic scale signaled a new new era of music
taking shape. Are there other types of
triads besides major? Absolutely. So why is the major triad so dear in our hearts and
in much of the music over the last 500 years or so? Well, probably because composers wrote
music based on this color and the emotional
environment it creates? That the joyous, uplifting and optimistic nature of the major
triad coincided with the rise of freedom for the people of this world over the last 5
centuries? So with these ideas in mind, let's start by exploring the theory of this three
note colossus in the various styles of American music.

Theory of the major triad. As the
name major triad implies, the all important interval of the major third defines the sound
of the three note major chord or triad. Thinking from the root, we stack a major third
then a minor third above the root to create the common major triad. Here is a handy
picture of the building process of the proper intervals above the root. Example 1.

Thinking in the tonal
center of C major, the tonic or C major triad is created by the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees of the C major scale. Here
are the pitches of the C major scale and their numerical scale degrees. Example 2.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

Here is a piano illustration of C,
E, and G, ( 1, 3, 5 ). At the piano, a root
position C major triad is struck thus in grey tones, click to hear the sound. Example
3.

Cool
with this? Sound familiar? Good, tis a very popular component of the American sounds.
So what do we commonly do with the major triad? Use the 3 note chord to support melodies
from the major scales types? Example 4.

pick up

C major

G major

F major

Pretty straight ahead eh? In the
last dea we simply use the chords built on the 1st, 5th and then 4th degrees of the major
scale to support the melody. Isn't that G major triad in first inversion? Yep, good ear. Are there triads
for each of the 7 pitches of the major scale? Of course there is, but you knew that right?
Example 5.

C
maj D min

E min F maj

G maj A min

B min C maj

So, not all triads are the same eh? Nope, but
all come in handy somewhere along the way. Are there triads for other scales?
Yep. Can we create a major triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can.
Lets do it. Here is a chart spelling out the major triad from each of the 12 pitches of
the chromatic scale organized by the cycle of fourths. Example
2f.

Got these under your tongue or
fingers? Hip to sing the line / play the line?
Understanding the theory and executing the major triad is potentially of great importance
to the emerging player of American music. In all 12 keys,
yes in all 12 keys. Even if you do this triad / 12 key exercise only once, you'll be
amazed at your new perspective, appreciation and understanding of our equal temper system,
let alone how you will henceforth view your instrument. For jazz players, this 12 key
thing is rather essential. So what is the intervalic distance from the root C to it's
fifth G? Any clues? How well do you know your musical intervals?
Have we always had chords in our music, like from ancient times? Curious about the history of chords?

Melodically speaking, every renowned improvising musician has used the three
notes of the triad in various configurations as a basis for melodic ideas. For example,
explore the simple triadic nature within the melody of the Dixieland jazz standard
"When The Saints Go Marching In." Then compare this use of the major triad in
this melody with the triadic melodic and harmonic ground broken by John Coltrane with his historic writing and
recording of "Giant Steps", on Atlantic Records, which is also strongly based on
the major triad and variations. All jazz and emerging jazz musicians not hip to this
composition are encouraged to seek out and absorb "Tranes" intellect and energy
in this recording, as he deftly weaves simple triads perhaps the most complex levels of
improvisation still to date.

Where
to next?

review

new
ideas

Ah, but a person's reach should
exceed their grasp, or what's a heaven for? Robert Browning